By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING – The 2023 Memorial Day parade, organized by the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia, will step off from the Town Common at 10 a.m., on Monday May 29, as the town marks observances to honor the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

This year, the Minit and Militia is honoring two couples who have given much to the town of North Reading as a whole and the Minit and Militia in particular for more than four decades: Geoff and Patty Bemiss and Roy and Christina Walters.

Mr. and Mrs. Bemiss have resided in North Reading since 1966. They have a son and daughter and two grandsons.  Their son Geoff ll lives in Washington, N.C. with his spouse Stephanie. Their daughter Melissa and her two sons live in North Reading.

Geoff and Patty joined the North Reading Minit and Militia just in time to participate in the town’s Bicentennial celebrations. Geoff serves as Treasurer for the Minitmen as well as Master of Ceremonies on the bandstand for the post Parade Memorial Day Ceremonies.

Geoff completed 37 years in the Group Pension Operation at John Hancock in 2005. He then volunteered with Mystic Valley Elder Services as a Medicare Counselor assisting North Reading residents for 14 years.

Geoff also served North Reading Lodge as Secretary for 24 years. They are active in the Wakefield-Lynnfield Methodist Church and also find the time to sing with the North Reading Echos.

Last but not least, for over 30 years they have volunteered with and continue to serve the Masonic Hospital Equipment Loan Program (HELP) located in Woburn. This program loans medical equipment free of charge to anyone in need for the duration of that need.

Roy F. Walters was born and raised in Medford where he played saxophone in the Medford High School Band and graduated in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from June 1952 to June 1955, which included serving in Korea from 1953-1954. He earned his degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University in 1960.

Christina (Boyajian) Walters was raised in Chelsea and later Malden. She and Roy were married in 1961 and they moved to North Reading shortly thereafter, where they raised their two sons, Russell and Eric.

Professionally, Roy worked at the Air Force Cambridge Laboratory High Altitude Balloon program (1960-1961) and Sounding Rocket programs (1961-1987). At the General Research Company from 1987-1998 he was a Senior Engineer involved in Infrared Studies and Space Program Technical Reviewer.  For the Sensor System Group from 1998- 2000 he worked in field of Optical System Design.

Chris was a Little School PTA member and events planner, a Cub Scouts Den Mother, a Music Boosters member, and a DeMolay Mothers Member as well as a Library Aide at the Little School where she also worked as a lunch server. As a member of the Union Congregational Church, Chris has been an active member and President of Serendipity Circle.

Roy also served on the Little School PTA and as Cub Scout Pack Adviser. He has been a member of the Union Congregational Church for 40 years; serving on the Council for three years

He has been a member of the North Reading Masonic A.F. and A.M. from 1975 to present; serving as secretary from 1978-1981 as well as many other activities within Lodge

He was also a DeMolay adviser and received the John Warren Medal in 2021.

A member of the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia from 1974 to present, Walters has served as captain several times and secretary many times, taking notes at the first Minitmen organizational meeting in basement of the original Town Hall (now the town’s library).

Roy is also a member of the North Reading Historical Society and actively served on the North Reading Veterans’ Memorial Committee in the mid-1980s.

He was presented a Community Impact Volunteer award from the town in 1995.

Cemetery services planned

The Memorial Day parade will be preceded by early morning services with the traditional prayer, reading of the Roll of Honor and musket salute.

The services will begin at the Riverside Cemetery at 7 a.m.; proceed to Harmony Vale Cemetery at 7:45 a.m., then on to the Ipswich River Park Blue Star Memorial at 8:15 a.m., closing with services at the Park Street Cemetery at 8:45 a.m.

The public is cordially invited to attend these services, which honor our veterans.

Refreshments will be served in the Third Meeting House on the Common at the conclusion of all activities for services and parade participants.

Putnam House Open May 29

Each Memorial Day, the country honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our county. The North Reading Historical Society will display in the 1720 Rev. Daniel Putnam House the biographies, photographs and military uniforms and awards presented to local men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The display will be on view from on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you would like to have your relative who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and lived in North Reading to be include in this display, please contact Lillian Martin to make arrangements at: lillian.martin@hotmail.com or 978-664-2454.

The Rev. Daniel Putnam House is located at 27 Bow Street, across from the Town Common.

Veterans sought to participate

Veterans of all wars are invited to participate in the parade, including Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) veterans, both discharged and active, commented Veterans Director Sue Magner. Uniforms are not required, but always welcomed, or veterans can wear their hats, vests, etc., she said.

The Veterans’ Services Office is also looking for a volunteer with a flatbed truck to decorate and make into a great float honoring our veterans.

Please contact the Veterans Office at 978-357-5211 or nrvets@northreadingma.gov to provide parade organizers with a head count.